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Reno book first to post 2013 MLB season win totals

Feb 22, 2013

Pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training is Steve Mikkelson's cue. The sportsbook manager at the Atlantis Casino in Reno, Nevada is the first bookmaker to release MLB season win totals each year, and 2013 is no exception.

Mikkelson posted his MLB season win totals for the upcoming baseball season Wednesday morning, along with a number of season-long odds and player props. We asked him about the trickiest win totals to figure out as well as which teams moved the most from last year’s win totals.

Toughest totals to set

The American League East, more than any other division in baseball, gave Mikkelson the most fits when calculating this season’s MLB win totals. He has Toronto and New York with 86.5 wins and Tampa Bay with 86, leaving Boston at 79.5 and Baltimore at 76.5 bringing up the rear.

“The Yankees and Red Sox have long been the power in the division, but this year every team besides maybe the Orioles could win the division,” Mikkelson told Covers.com. “I think (Baltimore) over-performed last year and I have them coming back down to earth.”

Mikkelson also had trouble figuring out just how bad the Houston Astros are going to be this season. Houston, which finished dead last in the majors at 55-107 in the National League Central last season, makes the move to the competitive American League West in 2013.

Mikkelson set the Astros’ win total at 59.5 – the lowest win total he can remember ever tagging on a team – with the over priced at -120 compared to -110 on the under.

“I’m at 59.5 but I tell you, I would be on the under,” he says. “Going over to the AL West, I could see this team losing 110 games. I really don’t know where their wins are going to come from.”

Big moves

Washington Nationals – 80.5 in 2012, 90 in 2013

“I was expecting them to be good last year but not that good,” says Mikkelson. “I think the Nationals are the best team in baseball. They have enough depth and flexibility to sustain some key injuries and keep going.”

Miami Marlins – 89.5 in 2012, 64.5 in 2013

“After that fire sale and all those expectations, I couldn’t go too low on them but I feel it should be closer to 60 or 61 than 64.5,” he says. “Where are they going to get those wins?”

Other notables

Los Angeles Angels – 89.5 in 2013, 89.5 in 2012

“Last year, they were disappointing to everyone,” says Mikkelson. “I think the Angels are good but I’m not convinced L.A. is the best spot for Josh Hamilton to play, what with his history.”
Detroit Tigers – 94.5 in 2012, 90 in 2013

“The Tigers came out so flat to start last season and were pretty much that way until September,” he says. “As much as you think they can pick it up, it took a while for them to get going.”